Envelope



Feb. 21, 1933.

H. H. REINEMAN ENVELOPE Filed Dec.

6 m T N y m Patented Feb. 21, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFIc HOWARD H. REINEMAN, F BRIGHTON, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO ROCHESTER EN- VELOPE COMPANY, INC., OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK , ENVELOPE Application filed. December 26, 1930. Serial No. 504,860.

This invention relates to containers or envelopes for papers, relatively small articles and the like, and more particularly to the variety having closure means capable of being secured and released as desired, one object of the invention being to provide an envelope of this character having an improved form of closure means capable of being quicklyand easily operated and at the same time of a nature affording substantial strength. I

Another object is the provision of such an envelope having closure means capable of being secured or released by merely pressing a simple securing means, as with the finger, through openings in the envelope and closure to secure or release the closure.

Another object is the provision of an envelope closure means which is easy to operate and of substantial strength capable of retaining within the envelope articles of substantial size and weight. More specifically stated, it is an object of the invention to provide simple and effective closure means for envelopes of the kind employed, for example, for securely containing articles such as photo graphic film spools and the like.

A further object is to provide an envelope closure means including locking means for the same of substantial strength capable of being easily locked and unlocked and providing also a carrying means or finger opening for carrying the envelope.

A still further object is to provide a locking closure means for envelopes of the above nature having asimple form of construction capable of being manufactured at a rela tively low cost.

To these and other ends the invention resides in certain improvements and combina- Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, but showing the opposite side of the envelope;

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view on the line 4a-4ain Fig. 3';

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional View through the closure and locking means, with the closure fiap folded down as in Figs. 2

and 3, but before ,thesecuring tongue is locked, and

Fig. 6 is an enlarged view similar to Fig. 5: on the llne 6a-6a in Fig. 2 showing the parts in closed and locked position.

Similar reference numerals throughout the several views indicate the same parts. 7

The invention is embodied in the present instance, by way of illustration, in a paper envelope of the variety having its opening or mouth closed by the folding thereover of a flap secured in closed position bylocking means capable of being locked and released at will. The present embodiment is particu-* falling out of the envelope during handling and thus become separated from their identifying data. Such usage alsorequires closure means capable of being quickly locked and unlocked, at'times by persons unin-' structed in the use thereof, and capable of maintainingits operating condition through repeated usage, preferably in an envelope of light and inexpensive construction, and such rather exacting requirements have not been satisfactorily met in the devices heretofore provided. It is to be understood, however,

that the advantagesof the invention are not limited by any means to the use referred to above, but may be applied as well to envelopes, generally, for a widev variety of uses.

Referring more particularly to'the drawing, there is shown an envelope having opposite side portions I0 and 11, the envelope,

being preferably formed in known manner by a longitudinal seam extending substantially centrally of the side 11 to afford subat the same time, to provide substantial 'to serve simultaneously to provide a carrystantially overlapping edges 12 and 13. This The side portion 10 is provided, in the pres ent instance, with a closure flap 14, preferably formed integrally withthe side portion, to fold over the mouth of the envelope and down against the opposite side 11, as shown, for example, in Figs. 2 and 5. The free edge 15 of the closure flap 14: is preferably provided with an auxiliary flap 16 forming a coupon slip detachably connected with the closure flap 14, as by a score line at the flap edge 15, this coupon slip 16 being useful for carrying data for identification of the envelope. In the use of the envelope for the finishing of photographic film, for example, this coupon slip may bedetached from the envelope and given to the owner of the film at the time that it is left for finishing, so that the owner may reproduce the slip at the proper time to identify the negatives and prints returned from the finisher in the same envelope.

, It has been found that an envelope of the above-character may be provided with simple and effective closure securing and locking means by forming suitable openings in the closure flap 14: and in one or both of the side portions 10 and 11, with a cooperating securing tongue on one of the side portions, as'for example, the portion 11, the openings and securing tongue being specially formed to provide for quick and easy operation, and

strength for securely retaining articles in the envelope. The openings for cooperation with the securing and locking tongue may have various forms and may be made large enough ing means, or finger opening, for carrying the envelope. I

- It is preferred to form the securing openings in the manner shown in the drawing, by cutting an angular and preferably a generally semi-circular slit 17, as best shown in the closure flap in Fig. 1. This slit provides a partially enclosed, flexible tongue 18, which is readily flexed to one side to afford a substantial opening through which one or more fingers may be inserted to use it'as a carrying or finger opening. I It is further preferred to arrange this angular slit as shown with the ends of the slit curving toward the free edge of the closure flap as this relation leaves a maximum ofstockadjacent the edges with a minimum of weakening of the latter. It is contemplated, however, that this opening for cooperation with the securing and locking tongue may have a variety of shapes, sizes and arrangements.

A similar opening is provided in either or both of the side portions 10, 11, and so located as to register with the opening formed by the slit 17 of the flap 14 in the closed position of the latter. A similar slit 19 may be formed in the portion 10 of the envelope, as shown in Figs. 3 and 5, and a similar slit 20 may be formed in the side portion 11 as in dicated in Figs. 1 and 5', It will be noted that the slit 20, when employed, is formed in the inner ply of the portion 11, corresponding edge 13. For this purpose the gluing of the seam is discontinued at the base of the tongue. This tongue may have various shapes and is preferably formed on one or both sides with alocking lug, as indicated at 22 and 23, extended laterally therefrom beyond the edges of the registering slits 17, 19, 20, previously described. It is preferred in the present instance to employ two oppositely extending lugs, as shown, and to form them with curved edges, as shown, so that when manipulated in the intended manner, they may be readily engaged and disengaged with the securing slits such as 17 in the other parts. It will be noted that these locking lugs join the shank of the tongue 21 at a sharp re-entrant angle as indicated at 24, Fig. 1, and that the tongue is recessed centrally at its outer end as at.

25, between the lugs, to facilitate the flexing of the latter as they are pressed through the cooperating openings described in the other parts.

It is apparent from the above description that with the closure flap 1 1 folded to closed position, as shown in Figs. 2 and 5, for example, the securing tongue 21 overlaps the flap from the free edge 15 thereof and the free end of the tongue, with its locking lugs, falls over the slit openings in the sides and flap. All that is required to securely lock the parts in closed position is to apply the pressure of a finger, transversely, to the end of the tongue, so as to flex it and the locking lugs and thus contract and carry them through the slit openings in the side portions and the closure flap, during which operation the tongues enclosed by the slits, such as the tongue 18 in Fig. 1, are flexed sideways to the position shown in Fig. 6, the tongue and its locking lugs being carried through so as to project at the opposite side of the envelope. Similarly to unlock the closure it is merely necessary to press laterally with a finger against the projecting tongues at the side portion 10 and thus carry the securing tongue 9-1 back to the position shown in Fig. 5, so as to immediately release the parts. The simple operation which this construction affords obviates any tedious threading of tongue edges through openings and between adjacent paper sheets which experience has shown, in connection with prior devices, is not only slow and laborious, but tends to deform and tear the parts so that they are commonly rendered inoperative after one operation.

The locking lugs 22 and 23 of the securing tongue, by reason of their shape and curving edges, are thus readily engaged with and disengaged from the cooperating openings in the envelope and flap, by a simple poke of the finger, and the curved shape of these tongues, as well as of the tongues of the openings themselves, as 18, affords a smoothness of outline which not only prevents inad vertent catching and tearing of these parts on each other, but also eliminates any sharp edges which might, in some uses of the envelope, cause undesirable engagement with the contents of the envelope. At the same time the pronounced angle at the junction of the locking lugs with the shank of the securing tongue, as at 2%, insures secure locking engagement of these parts with the ends of the opening slits, as 17, which stoutly resists the longitudinal stress placed upon the securing tongue by the contents of the envelope. Such engagement of these parts, however, is easily released by the lateral pressure of a finger on the securing tongue which flexes and carries it through the cooperating openings in the envelope sides and flap in such manner as to easily release the locking lugs from the envelope openings.

It will be noted, furthermore, that both of the side portions 10 and 11, extend all the way to the top of the mouth of theenvelope, closely adjacent the fold line of the flap it which materially conduces to the strength of the closure as these parts are held together by the folded flap 1%. Moreover, the tabs or tongues, as 18, left in the openings by the slits, as 17, are car 'iec through the openings in the locked position of the securing tongue 21, as shown in 6, so that, in this position, the'securing tongue 21 lies outwardly or toward the mouth of theenvelope, beyond the opening tongues such as 18. The contents of the envelope, therefore, contact with the inner ply of the sideportion 11, and with the,

tongue, such as 18, which serve to guard and reinforce the securing tongue 21 and thus materially increase the strength of the. closure. Even if unusually severe handling, or heavy contents, should pull the securing tongue 21.

and these locking lugs back through the opening n the side portion 10., they would, however, retain their engagement withthe side portion 11 and maintain the closure, with the weight of the contents securely held by contact with the side portions, securely held It is apparent also that the registering openings in the envelope sides and closure flap may be made in accordancewith the invention, and of sufficient size to permit of the insertion therethrough of one or more of the fingers, in the closed position, for convenient- 1y suspending or carrying the envelope,'so that these openingsha-ve the additional advantage of thus serving as finger openings.

The construction of the envelope is well adapted for the printing upon itof directicns, advertising, or other information. The construction is likewise of a simple character with :the' closure and locking parts formed up from the stock of the envelope itself, with the result that the envelope is capable of being easily and rapidly turned out byexisting machines. This feature, combined with the fact that the effectiveness of the closure permits of the use, in many in' stances, of relatively light stock, adapts-envelopes embodying the invention for manu facture at a relatively low cost.

I claim:

1. An envelope having'in one side thereof adjacent its mouth a generally semi-circular slit forming an enclosed flexible tongue extending toward the mouthof the envelope and also a fingeropening, a closure flap on said side portion providedwitha slit similar to said slit in said side portion and located to register with said side portion slit'in the closed position of said flap, a securing tongue on the opposite side portion of the envelope arranged to overlie said flap in the closed position of the latter and to be pressed through the finger openings in said flap and said portion, said securing tongue being guarded by the tongues formed in said first side portion and said flap by said slits, and locking lugs extended laterally from 'said securing tongue beyond said slits and formed with curved edges adapting the same to be pressed through said finger openings and to lock said securing tongue in or unlock it from said opening. c

2. An envelope comprising opposite side portions, a closure flap on one of said side portions adapted to be folded over the other of said portions to close the mouth of the envelope, said other side portion being-provided adjacent the mouth of the envelopewith a formed by said slit, and said flap being formed with a similar slit arranged to register with the slit in said other side portion in the closed position of said flap, and a securing tongue on said other side portion having locking lugs extended laterally from said securing tongue beyond said slits and formed with curved edges adapting the same to be inserted through said slits to lock said securing tongue in said slits on the outer side of said tongues formed by said slits.

3. An envelope comprising opposite side.

portions and a longitudinal seam extending substantially centrally of one of said side portions with the edges of said seam insubstantially overlapping relation to afford inner and outer plies for said side portion at said seam, the inner of said plies being provided adjacent the envelope mouth with a generally semi-circular slit forming a flexible tongue and a finger opening, the other of said side portions beingprovided with a slit similar to and in registry with said slit in said first side portion, a closure flap on said other side portion provided with a slit similar to said slits in said side portions and located to register therewith in the closed position of said flap, and a securing tongue formed from the outer of said plies with flexible locking lugs extended laterally from opposite sides thereof beyond the edges of the finger openings formed by said slits and having curved edges adapting the same to be pressed through the finger openings in said side portions and said flap to lock or unlock said securing tongue and flap and to lock or release said closure flap.

4. An envelope comprising opposite side portions and a longitudinal seam extending substantially centrally of one of said side portions with the edges of said seam in substantially overlapping'relation to afford inner and outer plies for said side portion at said seam, the edge of said side portion extending to the mouth of said envelope, the inner of said plies being provided adjacent the envelope mouth with a generally semicircular slit forming a tongue and having its ends curved away from the envelope mouth to form a finger opening, the other of said side portions being provided with a slit similar to and inregistry with said slit in said first side portion, a closure flap on said other side portion provided with a slit similar to said slits in said side portion and located to register therewith in the closed position of the flap, and a securing tongue formed from the outer of said plies with flexible locking lugs extended laterally from opposite sides thereof beyond the edges of the finger openings formed by said slits and having curved edges adapting the same to be pressed through the-finger openings in said side portions and said flap between said tongues formed by'said slits and the envelope "mouth,

to lock or unlocksaid securing tongue and flap and to lock or release'said closure flap.

5. An envelope comprising opposite side portions, a closure flap on one of said side portions adapted to be folded over the other of said side portions to close the mouth of the envelope, one of said side portions being provided with a generally semi-circular slit forming an enclosed flexible tongue and also a finger opening, said flap being formed with a finger opening arranged to register with the finger opening of said side portion in the closed position of the flap, and a securing tongue on the side of the envelope opposite to that having the slit arranged to overlie said flap in the closed position thereof and having locking lugs extended beyond the edges of said first mentioned finger opening when said tongue is in securing position, the securing tongue being movable to locking position by placing the finger thereon and pushing it through said finger openings from one side of the envelope to another, said flexible tongue lying in registry with the finger openings when the securing tongue is in locking position.

6. An envelope having a side portion thereof provided adjacent the envelope mouth with an angular slit forming a flexible tongue and a finger opening, a closure flap on said side portion provided with a finger opening located to register with the last mentioned opening in the closed position of said flap, an opposite side portion on said envelope pro vided with a slit similar to said slit in said first side portion and located to register with the latter, and a securing tongue on said opposite side portion adapted to overlie said flap in the closing position thereof, said securing tongue having flexible lugs extended laterally therefrom in opposite directions beyond said slits and formed with curved edges, said tongue and lugs adapted to be pressed through said finger openings by pushing the finger therethrough in the closed position of the flap for locking and unlocking said flap.

7. An envelope comprising a side portion provided adjacent the closure end of the envelope with a slit forming an enclosed flexible tongue and also a finger opening, a closure flap on said side portion provided with a slit similar to the slit in said side portion and arranged to register therewith in the closed position of said flap, a securing tongue on the opposite side portion of the envelope arranged to overlie the lower edge of said flap in the closed position of the latter and to be pressed through the slits in said flap and side portion by pushing the finger therethrough, and a locking lug extending laterally from said tongue beyond said slits for locking engagement with the first mentioned side portion to lock said tongue and to secure said flap in closed position, the flexible tongue of the first mentioned side portion overlying the securing tongue when the latter is in said locking position.

8. An envelope having a side portion there of provided adjacent the envelope mouth with a linger opening, a closure flap on said side portion provided with aiinger opening located to register with said opening in said side portion in the closed position of the flap, an opposite side portion on said envelope provided with a finger opening located to register with said opening in said first side portion, and a securing tongue on said opposite side portion overlying said flap and formed with flexible locking lugs extended laterally from its sides in opposite directions beyond the edges of said openings and formed with curved edges to facilitate passage of the same through said openings in the closed position of the flap, the securing tongue being movable through the openings to and from looking position by moving the finger in opposite directions through the openings to force the tongue therethrough, said tongue serving to close the openings when in looking position.

9. An envelope comprising opposite side portions one of which is provided adjacent the closure end of the envelope with a finger opening, a closure flap on one of said side portions provided with a finger opening located to register with the first mentioned finger opening when said. flap is in closed position, and a securing tongue on the side portion of the envelope opposite to that having the flap thereon arranged to overlie a portion of said flap when the latter is in closed position, said securing tongue formed with flexible locking lugs extending laterally therefrom in opposite directions beyond the edges of said finger openings, the securing tongue being movable through the finger openings to locking position by moving the finger through the openings when the tongue is in registry therewith, said tongue serving to close the openings when in looking position.

HOWARD H. REINEMAN. 

